Filtering Component for a Smoking Pipe System

ABSTRACT

A filtering component for a smoking pipe system having at least a receiving portion with a bore formed from a smoke-receiving first end to an second end, and a filter holder portion which receives at least one filter with one or more side apertures in the filter holder portion. Air flow is directed from the smoke-receiving first end, through the bore, into and through a filter, out the filter and through the side aperture, on its way to a mouthpiece.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain improvements of devices andsystems for smoking various products including, but not limited to,tobacco and herbs.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Many people smoke various products for leisure and for medicinalpurposes. However, smoke and fumes from burning products such astobacco, herbs and other substances can be rather harsh tasting and cancontain certain components which the user wishes to avoid, and the smokeand fumes may be too hot for a user's preferences. According to onepopular website devoted to tobacco and pipe smoking, there are threetypes of filters used in known pipes, including pass-through filters,absorption filters and condensers. Pass-through filters are oftenconstructed of a thick cotton tub with a hollow center or a carbonfilled canister, both of which reduce nicotine and tar from the smoke asit travels from the burning product to the pipe mouthpiece. Absorptionfilters can be made of various porous woods, such as balsa, and are usedin pipes which control the flow of the smoke between the pipe bore andthe filter surface, which exposes the smoke to a greater surface area ofthe filter and can remove both heat and impurities. Condenser filtersoperate differently from both pass-through and absorption types offilters, mostly designed to letting moisture reach the stem of a pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY Embodiments of the Invention

A filtering component and method of manufacture for the same for asmoking pipe system having at least a receiving portion with a boreformed from a smoke-receiving first end to an second end, and a filterholder portion which receives at least one filter with one or more sideapertures in the filter holder portion. Air flow is directed from thesmoke-receiving first end, through the bore, into and through a filter,out the filter and through the side aperture, on its way to amouthpiece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures presented herein, when considered in light of thisdescription, form a complete disclosure of one or more embodiments ofthe invention, wherein like reference numbers in the figures representsimilar or same elements or steps.

FIG. 1 depicts a filtering component of a smoking pipe system accordingto at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates installation of and removal of a filter from thefiltering component of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a fully-installed filter in the filtering componentof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a fully-assembled smoking pipe system with internal detailsrelative to the example embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 provides example air flow relative to the example embodiment ofFIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 shows a fully-assembled smoking pipe system without internaldetails relative to the example embodiment of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE Exemplary Embodiment(s) of theInvention

The present inventor(s) have recognized an unmet need in the arts for acompact pipe system which incorporates a disposable filter. Filters arewell known in the tobacco pipe and pre-rolled cigarette arts forproviding cooler and cleaner smoking experiences for the user, however,pipe systems for smoking other products remain relatively undeveloped inthis manner.

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides auser-installable and user-removable filter cartridge to an improvedsmoking pipe system. At least another embodiment of the presentinvention allows a user to select from a wide variety ofreadily-available filters currently on the market for tobacco pipes andself-rolled cigarettes in the new improved pipe system. Still anotherembodiment of the present invention provides for a variety of smokingvessel and vessel interconnects which allow a user to select theirpreferred manner of smoking loose leaf product, pre-rolled products, andself-blended products. Other advantages of the improvements disclosedherein will be evident to the reader, and those ordinarily skilled inthe art will recognize that not all embodiments must provide alladvantages to fit within the spirit and the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an example embodiment according to the presentinvention is shown for a main body portion 100. The main body portion100 of a smoking pipe system is shown which is of a generallycylindrical cross-sectional shape with a bore formed through a receivingsection 101 and a filter holder section 103. The bore has a firstopening 108 in the receiving section 101 at a smoke-receiving end, andpreferably an accessory fitting 105, such as an annular ring withinternal threads, disposed near, around or in the first opening 108. Onan end opposite the first end 108 is, in this example embodiment,disposed a filter holder 103, which communicates with the bore formedthrough the receiving section 101 to the first opening 108.

The filter holder 103 preferably has one or more side apertures 104formed to allow additional air flow from the first opening into theinternal cavity of the rest of the pipe system. A generally-cylindricaldisposable filter 102, preferably of the type readily available for thetobacco pipe and cigarette rolling market, may be received into andremoved from (motion shown by the double-headed arrow) into the bore ofthe filter holder 103 such that smoke and fumes received from the firstend 108 are drawn, by user inhale, into the first end (rightmost) of thefilter 102 and through the filter material until it exits through theone or more apertures 104 or the second end (leftmost) of the filter 102into the internal cavity of the rest of the pipe system.

In some embodiments, the receiving section 101 and the filter holder 103may be integrated, co-formed, or combined, when the proximity of theburning material at the receiving end is insufficient to pose a hazardto combusting the filter material.

FIG. 2 depicts a filter 102 partially installed into or partiallyremoved from the filter holder 103 of the main body 100. Further,according to at least one embodiment, a mating shoulder 106 is providedto allow a mouthpiece portion to be received onto the main body 100, aswill be discussed in further detail in the following paragraphs. Such ashoulder may provide a friction fit, a threaded fit, or a twist-lockfit, in various embodiments. Additionally, according to this exampleembodiment, a flow control surface 107 may enhance the flow of filteredsmoke and fumes as the streams from the side apertures 104 recombinewith the stream which has passed end-to-end through the filter 104towards a mouthpiece. FIG. 3 depicts a filter 102 fully installed intothe filter holder 103 of the main body 100.

Turning to FIG. 4 , an example smoking pipe system 400 is shown whichincludes the example main body portion 100, a mouthpiece section 402with a mouthpiece 403, and in this system configuration, a metal bowl401 for holding a combustible smoking material. The metal bowl 401 maybe received into the accessory fitting 105, such as by threads, andremoved for cleaning or attachment of other accessories. Thepreviously-described filter holder 103, filter 102, and holderaperture(s) 104 are encased in the mouthpiece section 402, and thereforeare shown in dashed lines in this drawing. Further, the internal bore404 (shown with wavy fill) through the receiving portion 101 of the mainbody portion 100 illustrated to provide a reference for the path of theinhaled smoke and fumes as they travel from the bowl (or otheraccessory) towards the first ends (rightmost) of the filter 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates the complete flow path 500, 502 and 503, of theinhaled fumes and smoke from the accessory into the receiving portion101, through the bore 500, into the filter's 102 first end (rightmost),and existing 502 the filter 102 via the second end (left most) and theone or more apertures 104 of the filter holder 103, and combining 503with a portion of flow which is drawn through the full length of thefilter from the first end (rightmost) to the second end (leftmost) forpresentation to the mouth of the user. This diagram illustrates asignificant advantage of this embodiment according to the invention inwhich the one or more apertures in the filter holder allow for lessrestricted flow (e.g., less resistance to the inhaled breath) whilemaintaining more filtering of the smoke and fumes by being exposed tomore of the filter material. It should also be noted that, although thisexample embodiment shows one or more oval-shaped apertures, otherembodiments may use other numbers and shapes of aperture(s) such asvents, slots, grooves, perforations, and screens, as well as anycombination of vents, slots, grooves, perforations, and screens.

FIG. 6 shows a view of an assembled example smoking pipe system 400without the internal details being illustrated. In at least oneembodiment, the components 100, 401, 403 and 403 are easily disassembledby a user without tools, such as by hand loosening threaded componentsand/or pulling apart friction fitted components. According to anotherexample pipe system, the bowl is replaced with a portion of a tubeleading to another smoking accessory, such as a water pipe. According toanother example pipe system, the bowl and perhaps the accessory ring arereplaced with a cone holder to receive a pre-rolled cone.

In practice, the components of the smoking pipe system may be fabricatedfrom suitable materials for comfort, low toxicity, and heat resiliency,such as but not limited to various plastics, metals, glass and woods.Fabrication methods many include, but are not limited to, injectionmolding, investment casting, three-dimensional additive processes (“3Dprinting”), machining, hand shaping, drilling, lathing, shaping, andcompressing.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. The foregoing example embodiments do notdefine the extent or scope of the present invention, but instead areprovided as illustrations of how to make and use at least one embodimentof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filtering component for a smoking pipe systemcomprising: a receiving portion having a smoke-receiving first end to ansecond end; a bore formed through the receiving portion from the firstend to the second end; and a filter holder portion configured to receiveone or more filters such that the one or more filters are in air-flowcommunication with the bore of the receiving portion, and having one ormore side apertures in the filter holder portion configured to directthe air-flow from the receiving portion second end through the one ormore filters and out of the one or more side apertures.
 2. The filteringcomponent as set forth in claim 1 wherein the filter holder portion isfurther configured to allow the air-flow to additionally flow from thesecond end of the receiving portion through the one or more filters toexit an end of at least one filter.
 3. The filtering component as setforth in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion comprises an accessoryconnector at the smoke-receiving first end.
 4. The filtering componentas set forth in claim 3 wherein the accessory connector comprises athreaded ring.
 5. The filtering component as set forth in claim 3wherein the accessory connector is configured to receive a bowl forholding a combustible smoking material.
 6. The filtering component asset forth in claim 3 wherein the accessory connector is configured toreceive a tube for connecting to a water pipe.
 7. The filteringcomponent as set forth in claim 3 wherein the accessory connector isconfigured to receive a pre-rolled cone for smoking material.
 8. Thefiltering component as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receivingportion and the filter holder portion are configured to receive amouthpiece portion over and around at least the filter holder portionsuch that the air-flow from the one or more apertures are combined andpresented to a mouthpiece.
 9. The filtering component as set forth inclaim 2 wherein the receiving portion and the filter holder portion areconfigured to receive a mouthpiece portion over and around at least thefilter holder portion such that the air-flow from the one or moreapertures and the end of at least one filter are combined and presentedto a mouthpiece.
 10. A method of manufacture for a filtering componentfor a smoking pipe system comprising: forming a bore through a receivingportion, wherein the bore extends from a smoke-receiving first end to ansecond end of the receiving portion of a smoking pipe system; anddisposing a filter holder portion at or near the second end of thereceiving portion, wherein the filter holder is configured to receiveone or more filters such that the one or more filters are in air-flowcommunication with the bore of the receiving portion, and wherein one ormore side apertures are provided in the filter holder portion, therebyconfigured to direct the air-flow from the receiving portion second endthrough the one or more filters and out of the one or more sideapertures.
 11. The method of manufacture as set forth in claim 10wherein the filter holder portion is further configured to allow theair-flow to additionally flow from the second end of the receivingportion through the one or more filters to exit an end of at least onefilter.
 12. The method of manufacture as set forth in claim 10 whereinthe forming of a receiving portion comprises providing an accessoryconnector at the smoke-receiving first end.
 13. The method ofmanufacture as set forth in claim 13 wherein the accessory connectorcomprises a threaded ring.
 14. The method of manufacture as set forth inclaim 12 wherein the accessory connector is configured to receive a bowlfor holding a combustible smoking material.
 15. The method ofmanufacture as set forth in claim 12 wherein the accessory connector isconfigured to receive a tube for connecting to a water pipe.
 16. Themethod of manufacture as set forth in claim 12 wherein the accessoryconnector is configured to receive a pre-rolled cone for smokingmaterial.
 17. The method of manufacture as set forth in claim 10 whereinthe receiving portion and the filter holder portion are furtherconfigured to receive a mouthpiece portion over and around at least thefilter holder portion such that the air-flow from the one or moreapertures are combined and presented to a mouthpiece.
 18. The method ofmanufacture as set forth in claim 11 wherein the receiving portion andthe filter holder portion are configured to receive a mouthpiece portionover and around at least the filter holder portion such that theair-flow from the one or more apertures and the end of at least onefilter are combined and presented to a mouthpiece.